FA Chief Executive Mark Palios starred in midfield for Tranmere in the '70s and '80s and he'll be right behind his old club as they take on the Ryman Premier Division outfit who have already been responsible for one FA Cup shock this season.

For Palios, The Cup has always been special.

"I was a professional footballer for twelve years and I know what a unique and exciting atmosphere The FA Cup inspires," he told TheFA.com as he looked ahead to tomorrow's all-ticket tie at Hornchurch Stadium.

"I played my football with Tranmere Rovers and Crewe Alexandra in the old Third and Fourth Divisions and there was always that thought in the back of our minds that we might get a chance to test ourselves against the big boys.

"Unfortunately, I was never that successful in The FA Cup. I only made it to the Third Round once, when Rovers lost 1-0 at Peterborough United in 1975. My only FA Cup goal came for Crewe in a First Round tie at Boston United, then in the Alliance Premier League, in 1982. We lost that one 3-1, so I know all about giant-killing!

"To be fair I tended to do better in the Football League Cup. I was in the Tranmere side that had a fantastic 1-0 win against Arsenal at Highbury in 1973, Eddie Loyden scoring for us in the Second Round. In the following season we held West Ham United to a 0-0 draw at Prenton Park, also in the Second Round."

Hornchurch reached The FA Cup's Competition Proper for the first time this season and achieved a 2-0 home victory against Third Division Darlington in the First Round. Brian Little's Tranmere will certainly have to be on their toes.

"I'll be on the edge of my seat like everyone else on Saturday," says Mark. "It's a classic FA Cup tie and winning will mean so much to both teams. Whoever goes through, there'll be that huge excitement at the prospect of the Third Round. As a player I remember the tension of waiting for our number to be drawn out of that famous velvet bag."